5 Things to Do Before You Start Homeschooling
Deciding to homeschool your child is a big step—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Many parents imagine they need to have every detail perfectly planned before they begin. The truth is, homeschooling becomes much clearer once you simply take the first few steps.
If you’re thinking about homeschooling, here are five important things to do before you start that will help you begin with confidence and clarity.
1. Understand Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Before you start homeschooling, it’s important to understand the legal requirements in your state. Every state has different homeschool laws, and knowing what is required will give you peace of mind as you begin.
For example, in Georgia (where we live), homeschooling is governed by O.C.G.A. §20-2-690, often called the Home Study Program law. Parents must file a Declaration of Intent, provide instruction for 180 days per year, teach core subjects, and maintain basic records.
The requirements are usually much simpler than most families expect, but understanding them ahead of time helps you start confidently and stay organized.
2. Withdraw Your Child from School (If Applicable)
If your child is currently enrolled in public or private school, you will need to formally withdraw them before beginning your homeschool program.
This process is usually simple and can often be done with a short email or letter to the school notifying them that you will be homeschooling your child.
It’s important to handle this step properly so that your child is not mistakenly marked as truant.
3. Take Time to Reset
One of the most overlooked steps when beginning homeschooling is allowing time for a reset period, sometimes called “deschooling.”
Children who have been in traditional school environments may need time to decompress, rediscover curiosity, and let go of the stress or pressure they may have experienced in school.
This time can be used to:
Read together
Explore nature
Visit museums
Do hands-on projects
Simply enjoy learning again
This reset period often helps both parents and children transition more naturally into homeschool life.
4. Choose a Simple Curriculum
When parents begin researching homeschool curriculum, they often feel overwhelmed by the thousands of options available. The good news is that you don’t need the “perfect” curriculum to begin.
Focus on choosing something simple and manageable for your first year.
Remember that homeschool curriculum should serve your child—not the other way around. It’s okay to adjust and refine your choices as you learn what works best for your family.
5. Create a Flexible Daily Rhythm
Homeschooling doesn’t need to look like traditional school. Instead of recreating a full classroom schedule at home, many families benefit from establishing a simple daily rhythm.
A basic homeschool day might include:
Reading
Math practice
Writing or language arts
Exploration or projects
Outdoor play
Family learning time
Children often learn more efficiently in a homeschool environment, meaning the academic portion of the day may take far less time than parents expect.
A Final Encouragement
Starting homeschool can feel like a leap of faith, but thousands of families successfully make the transition every year. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.
Homeschooling is a journey that grows and evolves alongside your child.
Start simple. Stay flexible. And trust that you are more capable than you think when it comes to guiding your child’s education.
